36. Mrs. Butlerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to ensure that local valuation officers have information as to the ownership of dwelling-house property, as distinct from rateable occupation, when they undertake valuation for assessment purposes.
§ Sir E. BoyleThis information is already asked for in the return forms which are issued to occupiers for rating purposes.
Mrs. ButlerDoes the Chancellor appreciate that where property is assessed as two or more separate flats and a new owner becomes the owner-occupier of the whole property, he often continues to be assessed at the higher rate unless he himself notifies the change? Is he aware that many new owner-occupiers get into difficulties because of this and because they do not understand the procedure?
§ Sir E. BoyleI will certainly take note of that point. We now ask for the name of the owner because in particular cases it may be needed for the identification of the property, or else because the valuation officer may need information from the owner which the occupier cannot himself supply. I will certainly take note of the point.